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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she says.

These were all aspects of her formative years that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I hated many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when in her youth.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The film was released against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like the animation.

The actress says she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I know they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are demanding a sequel.

She tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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